The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1887-09-03

he Is llaDlc to err l Will NOT pre-
tend to deny. He would be more
than human if he were not. All
who have preceded him in his
great office have done SO. and SO
will all who shall come after him.
But as a matter Of simple justice |
would bespeak for his official con.
duct, whatever it may be, that fair
and impartial consideration which
honest, high minded men have a
right to expect Of each other. Let
him not be condemned in any case
without a hearing. Let censure
be reserved until his action shall
have been calmly considered in
the light Of all the surrounding cir
cumstances. No honest man
would ask more; no just man
could concede less.
Your present demonstration
has, however, deeper and more
gratifying significance than as a
mere manifestation of Your per
sonal regard for your incoming
Governor. interpret it as testi-
monial Of the profound respect
which tie people of Kentucky en-
terrain for the exalted position to
which their suffrage has called
him. and of their confident reli-
ance upon the benign protection
of the law, which it is his special
province under his oath to see
faithfully executed.
In this view, your presence on
this occasion affords me unspeak
able pleasure. When the people
learn to regard the representatives
of constituted authority with con-
tempt, they will soon lose respect
for the law itself, and set its salu-
tary restraints at defiance. This
must speedily lead to the despot-
ism of the mob, to be followed by
the despotism of organized gov
eminent. But as long as find
the people manifesting becoming
respect for their own institutions
on all proper occasions, know
that their liberties are safe, and
popular prosperity assured,
But delighted as ! am to meet
you here, there is single sad cir
cumstance which materially mars
the pleasure Of this happy hour.
1t is the absence from this stand
of my illustrious and beloved
predecessor. the grand, great
hearted man who, but four short
years ago. delivered back unfair
nished to his countrymen the
most sacred and digni6ed trust
they could repose in him, and
retired from his high office bear
ing, like a crown Of stars upon his
venerable head, the afectionate
benedictions OF a noble and gener-
Gus people. Stricken by the
hand of disease, and languishing
upon bed of suffering, there is
not genuine Kentucky heart
to-day untouched by a pang Of
tenderest sympathy for his Attic
ton. and not tongue unmoved
by fervent prayer for his speedy
recovery. Grand and venerable
man! Broad in his humanity as
yon all pervading sun, he has
reared for himself in the affections
Of his fellowmen. a monument
more durable than sculptured
marble or memorial brass.
know it has been the custom
of my predecessors on retiring
from the great office am about
to leave, to indulge, to some ex-
tent, in retrospect of their respect
i've terms Of service. But whether
that custom were "better honored
in the breach than the OBJ
servance, have nothing to say
of my official conduct. What
is written is written. My acts,
whether important or trivial. have
become a part of the memorable,
immutable history of the State.
No comment or explanation
of mine could enlarge their effect
or diminish their cOnSeOuencec